A bit disappointed with the Dawn...

[che5904]

Yup. Saw the signs on all 4 hot tubs around the pool. Didn't think much of the kids being there since it was the pool area and parents were usually around, but the "hidden" hot tub on the Serenity Deck which is supposed to be an adults only area had kids in it as well.

 

It's odd that NCL would take such new drastic measures and make all of the hot tubs "adults only". That's too bad, we had some delightful teens that joined us on the Star.

 

The first photo is from the dawn and although because it's hard to see but rule #2 states that children under...must be accomanied by an adult.

 

The 2nd photo is from deck 13 on the Star and as you can see there wasn't even any rules posted not even the typical don't use if you have heart issues. As well on the Star there were no signs stating that the bow of the ship was adults only either. Guess things have changed since I've been on.

[barbienj]

We were on the Gem in 2011 and the service in the main dining room was the worst I have ever experienced. From being seated and our waiter saying "I will be with you soon, I have to go do the waiter's show first", to food we ordered just not being brought (appetizers), to me being served tea and given a used tea bag.

 

We spend the day with Steve at the Tropicante also, highly recommend him.

[canadianjovigirl]

Yikes...............we have a deposit on the Dawn for Feb 2014 for our very first cruise and i thought the Dawn would be a good choice for our first cruise as it wasnt super sized to be overwhelming and we love the suite we booked, but maybe we need to book a bigger ship for more to do as my kids will be 13 and 15 come cruise time. We also like the fact that we are not tied to meals at certain times.

 

I hate all the doubting i am doing.....errrrrrrr

[boopsahoy]

Yikes...............we have a deposit on the Dawn for Feb 2014 for our very first cruise and i thought the Dawn would be a good choice for our first cruise as it wasnt super sized to be overwhelming and we love the suite we booked, but maybe we need to book a bigger ship for more to do as my kids will be 13 and 15 come cruise time. We also like the fact that we are not tied to meals at certain times.

 

I hate all the doubting i am doing.....errrrrrrr

Try it you may like it especially in a suite with butler privileges etc.

[weltek]

Thanks for the review. I always am a bit sad when someone's first experience with a cruise line is during a holiday or spring break. Seems a lot of issues arise then.

 

I think "fewer" activities may be the norm when comparing NCL and Carnival. Two different approaches, and I'm glad both lines exist to cater to different tastes. I've never felt like I was being lured into the "pay to play" activities, but that's just my experience. The only thing that's bothered me is the pull tab hawking before shows. Seems to cheapen the "special night out" vibe I try to have when we attend the shows.

[zqvol]

So there was priority tendering for suites in Cozumel even though the tendering wasn't planned? That's good to know- I was afraid they wouldn't have time to contact the suites and arrange that with. We are also scheduled to be in Cozumel on a day with 7 ships (including Dawn) so I'm worried we'll have to tender too. What time did you meet for the priority tender?

 

 

Even though our documents said that we were to dock in Cozumel, from the time we boarded it was announced that we would tender. The issue was the local tenders. We had priority tendering both ways, which was nice. The way the priority tendering works they could set it up with about 15 minutes notice.

[elektrawmn]

It's odd that NCL would take such new drastic measures and make all of the hot tubs "adults only". That's too bad, we had some delightful teens that joined us on the Star.

 

The first photo is from the dawn and although because it's hard to see but rule #2 states that children under...must be accomanied by an adult.

 

The 2nd photo is from deck 13 on the Star and as you can see there wasn't even any rules posted not even the typical don't use if you have heart issues. As well on the Star there were no signs stating that the bow of the ship was adults only either. Guess things have changed since I've been on.

 

I don't have a picture. The sign is actually ON the hot tub as you're approaching the stairs. Just verified with my husband that they do in fact have the signs on all 4. I guess that's where the TRex pool and hottub for kids comes into play.

[elektrawmn]

Try it you may like it especially in a suite with butler privileges etc.

 

 

I would agree. Try it! Like I was saying... NCL is not for US. Tried to tell the good and bad experiences we had.

 

I have cruised Thanksgiving several times, including my first time on Carnival.

[shelly11]

I was on the Sky last spring break and the adults only hot tub always had kids in it. I guess kids and their parents can't read.

[Karysa]

Yikes...............we have a deposit on the Dawn for Feb 2014 for our very first cruise and i thought the Dawn would be a good choice for our first cruise as it wasnt super sized to be overwhelming and we love the suite we booked, but maybe we need to book a bigger ship for more to do as my kids will be 13 and 15 come cruise time. We also like the fact that we are not tied to meals at certain times.

 

I hate all the doubting i am doing.....errrrrrrr

 

Maybe I can help. We have cruised the Dawn twice with our teens. The first time was in March of 2009 and again in 2012. The first cruise was 9 days and the 2nd was 11. Their ages would have been 13, 13 and 15 on the first Dawn cruise and 16, 16, and 18 on the second one.

They enjoyed the teen club on the first cruise but hung out on there own more on the second one. They love karaoke, dancing and dressing up and having sisters breakfasts in the MDR. The oldest enjoyed the shows and dance classes with myself and DH. We also enjoyed 4-5 meals together at the specialty restaurants last cruise as we all really love the atmosphere and food and togetherness. We always book 2 cabins so DD's have privacy to bond and DH and myself as well.

 

We did the VOS together in 2011 and loved the activities on the ship as we are an active family but the food was a major let down to us. We have done a few Carnival Cruises in the past as well and you won't find all that much difference in the activities compared to NCL IMO.

 

Decide what is most important to your family and then make the decision. Having two cabins are important to us and we go back and forth between insides and balconys but if being pampered is a priority then maybe you have already made the correct decision for your family. Only you guys know what your family needs from a vacation.

[iluvdoxies]

Forgot to mention, the night of Belize we had reservations at Cagney's. VERY unimpressed with the dinner we had. My husband got the prime rib, which came out grilled and looked like a ribeye. He sent it back because he thought they gave him the wrong thing. The restaurant manager came out and insisted it was correct. Apparently they remove the prime rib from the oven and throw it on the grill and sear it. (Something we've never seen before). My ribeye looked like a strip and wasn't very flavorful. The shrimp cocktail and smoked salmon appetizers were very good though. I didn't like the set up of the tables either. They first sat us next to the grill/cook window where the servers pick up the food. Not my idea of fine dining. Actually reminded me of being at Waffle House. I politely asked to be moved and we were accommodated after a scowl by the hostess.

 

Cozumel night we ate Le Bistro. WOW. Absolutely fantastic. I had the cornets (4 tiny waffle cones filled with different chopped salads), Beef Filet (which melted in your mouth) and the apple tartin (meh). My husband had the duck and endive salad (duck cooked perfectly) and the coq au vin. Sooo delicious!!!

 

I can't think of any more daily details but I'll offer the pros and cons as follows:

:)

Blue Lagoon - The BEST chicken wings. They became a nightly ritual. LOL

Garden Cafe (Buffet) - We ate most meals here. No problems.. clean tables, fresh food and great variety

2 for 1 happy hour- Best if you're drinking beer. Buckets are normally $33 dollars. 2 for 1 applies so you wind up getting 12, paying for 6.

Casino bar is the best for mixed drinks.

Splenda IS available on the Dawn. My steward saw that I was using it and made sure I had plenty each day. In the dining room were yellow packets of something. But I DID get actual Splenda

Cigarette Prices - $30 for a carton of Marlboro. 'nuff said

Second City - very funny show

 

:rolleyes:

White Hot Party - we were really looking forward to this. We got there about 10:15... it was pretty crowded. At 11 they make under 18 leave. When the kids left, EVERYONE left. Seriously. First time on a cruise when the cruise director and staff bailed before the party got started. What a shame.

Hot tubs crowded with kids Even with the big sign that says ADULTS ONLY

Spinnaker Lounge - I've heard people say it used to be bigger before the dry dock. They had the Second City performing an improv show and used the Spinnaker instead of the Stardust. Absolutely ridiculous. Too many people crammed into a little space. And you thought the pool chair hogs were bad?

Available activities - I'm looking back through my dailies now to see what we missed. Nothing it seems. Lots of "come learn about this treatment at the spa so we can sell you stuff"... "come buy this card so you can pay more to participate in this game show"... "library books available for check out (THAT is an actvity?)

Jose & Patti - Okay so they were pretty entertaining at first. But then it seemed like they were ALWAYS there in the atrium performing. He's rambling about Neil Diamond and she's laughing along. Don't get me wrong they're pretty good. But it gets old hearing them several times a day.

Pool Activities We went out to the pool twice around 10pm to see if there was anything going on. Bars were shut down, pool net was on and I swear I saw a tumbleweed blow by. :p

CONSTANT sales pressure - Buy these pictures, buy this wine package, buy this fractured glass print, enter this tournament

 

OH! And no fishbowl. :mad: Drink of the day in Roatan was the Rebellious Fish. They even ADVERTISE the drink being served in the fishbowl. Nope. They stopped using them 5 months ago I was told.

 

I'm sure I've forgotten lots so PLEASE ask any questions you might have. I don't want to sound like I'm bashing NCL... apparently it's just not for us.

 

just got 4 fishbowl glasses on the Epic 11/3, they had planty.

[Karysa]

I have sailed on the Dawn twice and loved both cruises but I do agree with several things that you mentioned. Spinaker is too small for 2nd City. Having the same entertainment nightly in something as open and central as the Atrium was boring for us as well. We enjoy being outside and would have liked more evening events held up on the pool deck.

 

Unlike you , we did enjoy the entertainment staff especially in 2011 and found them to be very engaged and present.

[elektrawmn]

just got 4 fishbowl glasses on the Epic 11/3, they had planty.

 

Awwww maaannnn.... :(